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Obituaries

Marlowe G. "Red" Severson – Obituary

Name: Marlowe G. "Red" Severson

Age: 89

Born: 10-24-1928

Died: 11-16-2017

Visitation:Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Service:St. Mary's Cathedral Upper Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Cathedral Upper Church in St. Cloud for Marlowe Gene Severson, age 89, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2017 St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud. Rev. Douglas Liebsch will officiate. Entombment will be in Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call on Monday, November 20, 2017 between 4:30-8:00 P.M. at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and on Tuesday one hour prior to services at the Church.

Marlowe was born October 24, 1928. He grew up in rural eastern South Dakota in and around Summit. He was the oldest of four children of Oscar and Ethel Severson. Everyone called him "Red" due to the color of his hair or “Coach.” He attended St. Cloud Teachers College (St. Cloud State University) and The University of Minnesota, receiving degrees in English and Health Education. Red married Orlou Christine Bigelow of Browns Valley and together they raised eight children in and around St. Cloud.

Red worked as a teacher and coach of many sports, most notably basketball, at high schools and colleges in Browns Valley, Buffalo, St. Cloud and Mankato. He is recognized as one of the most successful college basketball coaches in Minnesota sports history, earning 10 championship titles in just a few short years.

Red retired from competitive coaching and teaching in the early 70s to work in the private business sector, owning and operating a variety of businesses including a summer sports camp in Paynesville, Minnesota and a multi-state commercial real estate brokerage, Red Severson Realty. A master of the spoken and written word, Red authored a number of books about coaching as well as short-story, inspirational fiction. He retired in 1998. Red and Orlou spent several winters in Scottsdale, Arizona following retirement.

In his final years, Red appreciated the loving care provided by the health care professionals at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud. Red enjoyed reading and writing, poetry, watching sports of all kinds, a good fish fry and he had a lifelong appreciation of farming and horses. He loved riding horseback with his grandchildren. But his most cherished moments were gathering with family to celebrate special occasions, for barbecues and for Sunday dinners with a good ball game on TV.

Our Heavenly Father welcomed Red home peacefully on November 16, 2017, surrounded by loved ones.

Red’s true legacy continues through his eight children and their spouses Gerard Severson (Teresa) of Paradise Valley, AZ, James Severson of Faribault, John Severson (Carol) of Cushing, Joel Severson (Bev) of Princeton, Gene Severson (Michelle) of Sartell, Jill Krebsbach (Jim) of Collegeville, Jennifer Sheffert (Mark) of Edina and George Severson (Brian) of Salt Lake City, UT; 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Red will be missed by his sister, Aleda Knopf (Gene) of Sioux Falls, SD; his sister-in-law, Pearl Severson of Battle Creek, MI and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Orlou, his parents, brothers Donald Severson and Calvin (Loretta ) Severson.

Memorials are preferred to the Red Severson Scholarship Fund at St. Cloud State University.

Guestbook for Marlowe G. "Red" Severson

Uncle Red loved his family! When my brother was ill he called me up and said he would like to fly me to be with him because family is everything. I was very touched and grateful. He gave much love and will be deeply missed by many! 💕 holding you all close in thoughts and prayers.

Rick Severson

, nephew

November 20, 2017, 8:00 pm

The lesson I learned from Red and Orlou is that love is not a commodity. When you use it up, it doesn't run out, like groceries do. Red and Orlou had their own large family, and they found time to love many others, including me and my sisters. The more love you give, the more you are able to give. Love is inexhaustible. Bless you, Red Severson.

Vickie & Dennis Medd

, Niece

November 20, 2017, 4:26 pm

Love and miss you Uncle Marlowe...my Mom, your sister, Aleda Knopf knows that you loved her very much , as she did you as well. Prayers and blessings to all of his children, grandchildren and greatchildren. Always know he is now in his glorious Heavenly home with the love of his life , his wife Orlou. Wish I could be there so badly, but my health is not good. Mom and Dad would like to come also, but Mom's dementia cannot understand or withstand what is going on and doesn't remember so much. My brother Brad, he adored his Uncle Red, is coming to represent our family. Uncle Red loved his nephew Brad too, as Brad went to his basketball camps and my parents always said...Brad looks like the Severson's, especially Uncle Marlowe.
Love, blessings and peace to all.

Wayne, Pam & Tyler Severson

, Nephew

November 20, 2017, 3:32 pm

Always in our hearts.

Dennis Roisum

, Friend/student

November 19, 2017, 9:27 pm

Red had a great influence on a lot of people. A real legend. May he rest in peace.

Robert Neis

, Player and Friend

November 19, 2017, 12:42 pm

At the St. John’s Alumni Lunch in Saint Louis Park on Thursday, November 16th, I asked a question of Pat McKenzie, head basketball coach at St. John’s, regarding what the team practices and its emphasis on team and individual defense. I talked about Red Severson, highly successful former coach of Saint Cloud State, how he would emphasize defense in every practice, especially the practices over the holiday break. On occasion, while attending St. John’s, I would stop over at Eastman Hall and watch “Red” conduct those practices. I played softball at Seberger Park in St. Cloud while I was in grade school. “Red” was our mentor and coach and treated us with respect. Years later, I entered a local St. Cloud restaurant and “Red” yelled across the room, “Bob Neis come over here”. That gesture of recognition and caring stuck with me my entire life.
I am not sure of his hour of death, but talking of him ‘with respect’ in some small way, on the day of “Red’s” death is only fitting.

Ginnie Mae & Gary

November 17, 2017, 11:09 pm

Keeping you all in our prayers... We all are going to miss Uncle Red but have wonderful memories to keep him in our hearts... Hugs & Kisses to all... Love ya